The Mute Gods

An English progressive rock supergroup called the Mute Gods unites musicians tied to Kajagoogoo, Steve Hackett, Steven Wilson, The Aristocrats, and Joe Satriani. Nick Beggs, a veteran bassist and Chapman Stick player, launched the project in 2014 to create space for his own songwriting, sparked by shared ideas that surfaced during collective touring. Beggs had first gained notice in the 1980s new wave band Kajagoogoo, famed for the hit single "Too Shy." Once that group disbanded, his path led through sessions and performances with Belinda Carlisle, Emma Bunton, John Paul Jones, and Rick Wakeman. In 2009 he entered the Steve Hackett band together with Roger King, and the two began shaping the ideas that would later define the Mute Gods. Beggs and German drummer Marco Minnemann crossed paths while both toured with the Steven Wilson band in 2012. Minnemann, earlier a member of Freaky Fukin Weirdoz and H-Blockz, joined the conversation about a possible collaboration, rounding out the trio. Beggs had already completed most of the songs for a debut during those road periods, so the three entered the studio to capture the material. Do Nothing 'til You Hear from Me appeared in 2016 and brought the band the Vanguard Award at the Progressive Music Awards that September. With little pause after the first album and its recognition, the Mute Gods delivered their next release, Tardigrades Will Inherit the Earth, in 2017 after issuing the lead single "We Can't Carry On." In 2019 the group released its third studio album, the melodically charged Atheists and Believers, which included a guest appearance by Rush's Alex Lifeson.